This document provides an update to the 'Integrated care for drug users: principles and practice' October 2002 published by the Effective Interventions Unit (EIU), which set out the definitions and concepts of integrated care for drug misusers. It also set out the key principles underpinning an integrated care approach and provided detailed evidence of effective practice under each of the six key elements of the integrated care process.
A number of developments have taken place within the substance misuse field, and health and social care organisations have been re-structured to accommodate better joint working: for example, the development of Community Health (and Social Care) Partnerships in each NHS Board area and Community Justice Authorities.